Fans eager to see Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey share the stage in a London revival of Stephen Sondheim's Pulitzer-winning musical, "Sunday in the Park With George," will have to wait longer than expected. Empire Street Productions, the company behind the planned staging at the Barbican Centre, confirmed that the 2027 production will not proceed as scheduled, though they retain the rights and hope to present the show in 2028.

The revival, first announced in January, generated considerable buzz, particularly among fans of the upcoming Wicked film, which features both Grande and Bailey in prominent roles. Grande was slated to portray both Dot and Marie, while Bailey was cast as the titular artist, George Seurat, whose famous painting, "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte," inspires the musical.

Originally, tickets were set to go on sale in May but were pushed back to September to align with the conclusion of Grande's "Eternal Sunshine" tour. However, last month, Grande announced her decision to "step back from visibility" and subsequently exited the stage production, citing "ongoing public scrutiny" regarding her health. Bailey followed suit earlier this month, also withdrawing from the project.

Despite initial hopes from fans and even a statement from Bailey suggesting that new, equally talented actors might step into the roles, producers ultimately opted to delay the entire production. "Empire Street Productions will retain the rights with a view to presenting the production in 2028. Further details will be announced in due course," a representative stated.

First debuting Off-Broadway in 1983, "Sunday in the Park With George" last saw a major Broadway revival in 2017, starring Annaleigh Ashford and Jake Gyllenhaal. While the London stage will miss its 2027 premiere, the prospect of a 2028 showing offers a glimmer of hope for theater enthusiasts and celebrity watchers alike.